JP7581318B2 - Take-off device for removing tubular knitted products from a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a removal device for removing tubular knitted products from a circular knitting machine for hosiery and the like.

In the field of manufacturing tubular knitted products using circular knitting machines for hosiery and the like, it is sometimes necessary to transfer the product from the knitting machine used to manufacture the product to a separate manufacturing unit in order to perform further operations on the product that cannot be performed on the knitting machine or that are not economically advantageous to perform on the knitting machine.

In particular in the field of hosiery manufacturing, techniques have been developed in recent years for automatically closing the toe by sewing or looping. Some of these techniques are based on removing the product from the knitting machine used to manufacture the product and transferring it to a station for further work away from the manufacturing knitting machine, so that the toe of the hosiery product is closed at the further work station while the knitting machine is used to manufacture another hosiery product. These techniques have the advantage that the productivity of the knitting machine is not significantly disadvantaged over other techniques based on directly closing the toe of the hosiery product on the knitting machine used to manufacture the product.

From the knitting machine used to manufacture hosiery products, and more generally tubular products, the product is typically transferred by a take-off device to a station where the axial ends of the product are closed, or more generally further processing of the product is performed. The take-off device picks up the knitted loops of the product individually from the needles of the knitting machine by means of a take-off member and holds the knitted loops during the movement of the product.

In some techniques for closing the toe of hosiery products, the take-off device is further used to support the product while further operations are being performed, while in other techniques the take-off device is used only to transfer the product, since when it reaches the station where further operations have to be performed, it usually continues to transfer the knitted loops already removed from the needles individually to another device, for example a processing device, which has the function of supporting the product while further operations are being performed. The processing device ensures that the loops belonging to one half of the knitted row received from the take-off device face the loops belonging to the other half of the same knitted row, and supports the two halves of the knitted row in a position opposite each other during the intervention of a sewing or looping head which joins the pairs of knitted loops facing each other.

In known types of take-off devices used simply to transfer the product from the knitting machine on which it was produced to a processing device, the coupling of the take-off member with the needle for transferring the knitted loop from the needle to the take-off member is usually performed by inserting the head of the needle into a seat formed at the end of the take-off member. For this purpose, the take-off device usually has an annular take-off body arranged coaxially opposite the end of the needle cylinder from which the head of the needle projects, and supporting a number of take-off members oriented parallel to the axis of the take-off body.

An ejection device of this type is described, for example, in EP 0 942 086.

The object of the present invention is to provide a take-off device for removing tubular knitted products from a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, which has a high degree of security against accidental detachment of the knitting loop from the take-off member.

Within this spirit, the object of the present invention is to provide a device which in all cases has a high degree of structural simplicity and ensures a high degree of precision when connecting the take-off elements to the needles of the knitting machine used to manufacture the product.

Another object of the invention is to provide a removal device that can have a particularly small radial volume.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removal device that can further prevent errors in the radial position of the needles of a knitting machine used to manufacture the product.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that ensures high reliability during use.

The object of the present invention is to provide a removal device for removing tubular knitted products from a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, which can improve upon one or more of the above-mentioned aspects of the background art.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a removal device for removing tubular knitted products from a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, which is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide and competitively priced.

This aim, as well as these and other objects that will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a take-off device for taking-off tubular knitted products from a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like according to claim 1, optionally having one or more of the features of the dependent claims.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of preferred but non-exclusive embodiments of a removal device for removing tubular knitted products from a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like according to the present invention, given as non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 13 is a diametrical cross-sectional view of the extraction device as it is removed from the needle cylinder. 11 is a diametrical cross-sectional view of the extraction device in the process of engaging a needle of the needle cylinder; FIG. 1 is a diametrical cross-sectional view of the take-off device during the process of transferring the knitted loops to the take-off device; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diametrical cross-sectional view of the removal device with the knitted loops completely transferred. FIG. 5 is a diametrical cross-sectional view of the removal device with the hosiery products inside out in the state of FIG. 4; FIG. 2 shows a diametrical section of the removal device with two annular parts sawed. FIG. 2 shows a diametrical section of the take-off device with two annular portions in a sawing state during the process of disengaging the knitted loop from the hook-like portion of the first take-off element; FIG. 2 shows a diametrical section of the take-off device with two annular portions in a sawing state during the process of disengaging the knitted loop from the hook-like portion of the second take-off element; 4A-4C show diametrical sections of the removal device with two annular parts sawed during the sawing process; FIG. 2 shows a diametrical section of the removal device with two annular portions sawn at the end of the sawing process; FIG. 2 is a diametrical cross-sectional view of the ejection device with two annular portions ejected. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first removal element.

With reference to the drawings, an apparatus for removing knitted products according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 1, is configured to remove tubular knitted products 20 from a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like.

The removal device 1 has an annular removal body 2 that supports a number of removal members 3 arranged around an axis 2a of the removal body 2.

The take-out body 2 is configured to be arranged coaxially around the needle cylinder 42 of a circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, with each of the take-out members 3 arranged to correspond to a respective needle 44 of the knitting machine.

The extraction member 3 is supported by the first and second annular portions 2b, 2c.

The first and second annular parts 2b, 2c can rotate relative to each other about a swing axis 100 that is substantially perpendicular to the axis 2a of the removal device in order to pass between a removal state (see Figs. 1 to 5) in which the first and second annular parts 2b, 2c are arranged to form a circumference coaxial with the axis 2a of the removal device and a sawing state (see Figs. 6 to 11) in which the first and second annular parts 2b, 2c are arranged to face each other.

The first annular portion 2b supports a plurality of first extraction members 3a.

The first removal member 3a, shown enlarged in FIG. 12, has a first removal element 13a and a second removal element 13b arranged side by side, and the first removal element 13a and the second removal element 13b are configured to be positioned on opposite sides of the corresponding needle 44 while removing the respective knitted loop from the corresponding needle 44.

The first and second extraction elements 13a and 13b form an extraction head 13 that is movable relative to each needle 44 in a direction of movement substantially parallel to the axis 2a of the extraction body 2.

The first removal element 13a forms a hook-like portion 13c on the removal head 13 that is configured to engage and hold the knitted loop when engaged with a corresponding needle 44.

The second removal element 13b has an abutment portion 13d on the removal head 13.

The abutment portion 13d is particularly movable relative to the hook-shaped portion 13c to disengage each knitted loop from the hook-shaped portion 13c.

Advantageously, the abutment portion 13d is movable relative to the hook-shaped portion 13c in a direction of movement substantially parallel to the axis 2a of the extraction device.

Each first removal member 3a further has at least one moving element 14 movable relative to the removal head 13, the moving element 14 being configured to transfer the knitted loop released from the hook-shaped portion 13c of the same first removal member 3a to the respective second removal member 3b when the annular portions 2b, 2c are in the sewing state.

Advantageously, the moving element 14 is movable relative to the ejection head 13 in a movement direction substantially parallel to the axis 2a of the ejection device.

According to a preferred embodiment, each extraction member 3a, 3b is commandably rotatable about the axis 2a at the same angular velocity as the needle cylinder 42 during the process of engagement with the corresponding needle 44.

Therefore, the knitted loop is transferred from the needle cylinder 42 to the removal member while the needle 44 is in the process of feeding the last knitted loop.

Advantageously, the second extraction member 3b has at least a second extraction element forming a hook-like portion 13c on the extraction head 13 which is configured to engage and hold the knitted loop when engaged with a corresponding needle 44.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second extraction member supported by the second annular portion 2c may have a shape corresponding to the first extraction member 3a.

Advantageously, the second extraction member 3b has second extraction elements 13a, 13b which are movable relative to the respective needles 44 in a direction of movement substantially parallel to the axis 2a of the extraction body 2.

The moving element 14 advantageously has an extruded foil arranged between the first removal element 13a and the second removal element 13b.

The second removal member 3b has a moving element 14 that is movable relative to the respective removal head 13, and the moving element 14 is configured to function as an abutment for each knitted loop when it is removed from the hook-shaped portion 13c of the removal head of the second removal member 3b.

According to one embodiment, the ejection device 1 comprises selective actuation means for moving the first ejection member 3a and the second ejection member 3b.

Such selective actuation means may, for example, comprise a cam arrangement configured to move the ejection member and the various elements constituting the ejection member, such as the ejection head 13, the first ejection element 13a, the second ejection element 13b and the moving element 14.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second extraction elements 13a and 13b are arranged side by side and, after engaging with the respective needles 44, are movable away from and towards each other in a substantially tangential direction relative to the axis 2a of the extraction body 2.

This makes it possible, in particular, to bring the removal head 13 underneath each loop to be removed.

Furthermore, this solution makes it possible to use the ejection body 2 regardless of the type and shape of the needle 44 in the needle cylinder 42.

The operation of the take-out device 1 according to the present invention is as follows.

The removal body 2 (Figure 1) is positioned opposite the needle cylinder 42 and axially aligned with the needle cylinder 42 when the annular portion is in the removal state.

The extraction body 2 rotates around its own axis 2a at the same rotational speed as the needle cylinder 42.

Once the needle cylinder 42 has finished forming the tubular product 20, a suitable camming arrangement selectively lowers the removal member 3 towards the respective needle 44.

As each pick-up head 13 (Fig. 2) descends, it engages the hook of each needle 44 and continues its downward movement (Fig. 3) to pull the knitted loop into the hook-like portion 13c.

At this time (Figure 4), the removal body 2 rises to move away from the needle cylinder 42, and the tubular product 20 turns inside out (Figure 5).

At this time (Figure 6), the annular portion rotates relatively around the pivot axis 100 to move from the removal state to the sawing state.

The second removal element 13b of the first annular portion 2b rises and releases the knitted loop from its respective hook-like portion 13c (Figure 7).

The moving element 14 associated with the first pick-up element 13a descends (Figure 8) and transfers the knitted loop towards the second pick-up element 13b.

The sewing unit 150 then continues sewing the knitted loops together (Figure 9).

At this time (Figure 10), the moving element 14 associated with the first removal element 13a rises, releasing the tubular element.

Indeed, the present invention has been found to achieve its intended aims and objectives by providing a highly practical and effective removal device.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims, and all of the details may further be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In fact, the materials used and non-essential shapes and dimensions can be anything depending on the requirements and current technology, so long as the materials used are suitable for the particular application.

The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102019000023433, from which this application claims priority, are hereby incorporated by reference.

Where technical features described in any claim are followed by reference signs, these reference signs are included solely to enhance the clarity of the claims and therefore do not in any way limit the interpretation of the respective elements identified by such reference signs as examples.

Claims (8)

1. A take-off device for taking off a tubular knitted product from a circular knitting machine for hosiery , comprising:
a circular take-up body supporting a plurality of take-up members arranged around an axis of the take-up body , the take-up body being adapted to be arranged coaxially around a needle cylinder of a circular knitting machine for hosiery , with each of the take-up members being arranged to correspond to a respective needle of the circular knitting machine,
the extraction member is supported by a first annular portion and a second annular portion ;
the first annular portion and the second annular portion are rotatable relative to each other about a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the take-out device to reciprocate between a take-out state in which the first annular portion and the second annular portion are arranged to form a circumference coaxial with the axis of the take-out device and a sawing state in which the first annular portion and the second annular portion are arranged to face each other;
the first annular portion supports a plurality of first extraction members each having a first extraction element and a second extraction element arranged side by side;
the first and second removal elements are configured to be disposed on opposite sides of the corresponding needles during removal of the respective knitted loops from the corresponding needles , the first and second removal elements forming removal heads movable relative to the respective needles in a movement direction substantially parallel to an axis of the removal body ,
the first removal element forming a hook-like portion on the removal head configured to engage and hold a knitted loop upon engagement with a corresponding needle ;
the second removal element has an abutment portion on the removal head that is movable relative to the hook-like portion to disengage each knitted loop from the hook-like portion ;
The take-out device , wherein each first take-out member has at least one moving element movable relative to the take-out head , and the at least one moving element is configured to transfer the knitted loop released from the hook-shaped portion of the first take-out member to a respective second take-out member when the first annular portion and the second annular portion are in a sewing state. 2. The extraction device of claim 1, wherein during the step of each extraction member engaging a corresponding needle , the extraction body is commandably rotatable about the axis at an angular velocity equal to an angular velocity of the needle cylinder . 3. The removal device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second removal member has at least a second removal element, the at least second removal element forming a hook-like portion on the removal head configured to engage and hold the knitted loop when engaged with a corresponding needle . 4. The extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the second extraction member comprises a second extraction element movable relative to each needle in a direction of movement substantially parallel to an axis of the extraction body . The ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one moving element comprises an extruded slice disposed between the first ejection element and the second ejection element . the second pick-up member has a moving element movable relative to the respective pick-up head ;
The extraction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the moving element is configured to act as an abutment for a respective knitted loop upon disengagement from a hook-like portion of the extraction head of the second extraction member . An extractor apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising selective actuation means for moving said first extractor member and said second extractor member . 8. The extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second extraction elements arranged side by side are movable away from and towards each other in a substantially tangential direction relative to an axis of the extraction body after engaging with the respective needles .

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